EXPLORE

This year, in preparation for my big trip, I’ve vowed to participate in #NoSpendNovember to help me save some much-needed funds. This attempt to economise has meant that I’ve recently been on the look out for things to do in London that won’t break the bank. So as soon as I spotted Ann Veronica Janssens’ completely free ‘yellowbluepink’ installation on Secret London’s Facebook page, I just had to pay it a visit.

In the run up to my big trip I’m finding myself becoming more and more attached to London. While I would definitely say I’m excited to set off and see the world, I’m also beginning to realise what I’m leaving behind. In less than three months time I’ll be travelling to the other side of the world, entirely on my own; it’s something that I’ve never done before and it’s starting to feel a bit daunting. Last Saturday really hit this home for me, because it was the day my three best friends and I all reunited to celebrate our lovely Kirsten’s 22nd birthday.

So last Wednesday was the day of the Great British Bake Off final. If you’re not from the UK you might not have heard of this miraculous programme; if that’s the case I urge you to find a way to watch it if you can. There’s no shouting, no negativity, no exploitative ridicule of the less-talented contestants, and no sob stories. It’s so refreshing not to hear the phrase “this just means so much to me”, gushed every five minutes à la the X-Factor or American Idol.

I can’t quite believe we’ve slipped into October. As the weather gets colder, it seems only natural to seek warmth indoors. Curling up with a hot chocolate in front of a crackling fire might be an autumn cliché, but I’m sure most of us would agree that it is a wonderfully comforting image.